Senator’s chief of staff arrested on child pornography charges

The chief of staff to U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander was arrested after a raid at his Washington residence as part of an investigation into child pornography, the U.S. Justice Department said.

Ryan Loskarn

Ryan Loskarn, 35, was arrested on Wednesday after by investigators from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service on probable cause for the possession and distribution of child pornography, Justice officials said. Loskarn was expected to be arraigned in federal court Thursday.

Alexander earlier released a statement that he had been informed by the U.S. Senate’s legal counsel’s office that Loskarn’s residence was being searched regarding allegations that involve child pornography.

“I am stunned, surprised and disappointed by what I have learned. Based on this information, I immediately placed Mr. Loskarn on administrative leave without pay,” said Alexander, a Tennessee Republican.

Postal inspectors knocked in the door of a Loskarn’s home in the 1800 block of Burke Street SE Wednesday morning, and removed a half dozen bags and a computer from Loskarn’s home, according to News4 Washington’s Chris Gordon.